Packing case



Ap 14, 1931- E. E. MASTON 1,800,841

PACKING CASE Filed June 8, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 frwerzzr f duarcz 15 fVmZarz.

2% AWM Patented Apr. 14, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWARD E. MASTON, OI WILMETTE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TOCONTAINEBCORPORATION OF AMERICA, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE PACKING cAsE' Application filed June 8,

This invention relates to packing cases for fragile articles and more particularly to articles such as glass and porcelain electric light fixtures. One object of the invention is to provide a packing case of a very light but rigid construction, having a maxil'num resistance against crushing or collapsing strains. Another object of the invention is to provide a packing case in which articles may be quickly and securely packed with a minimum of time and effort by inexperienced persons. A further object of the invention is to provide a packing case of extremely simple design, comprising a minimum number of parts with a maximum ofstrength and rigidity. To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a packing case embodying the present invention, cer tain parts being broken away for the purposes of clearness;

Fig. 2 is a detail view of the end or closure member for the inner shell;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the manner of packing one type of light shade in the case, and

Fig. 4; is a fragmetary perspective view of a somewhat modified form of the invention.

Similar reference numerals throughout the several views indicate the same parts.

The present embodiment of the invention provides a container or case of the class described having a light, strong and rigid construction and capable of being rapidly and economically manufactured and assembled, being particularly advantageous for packing fragile articles such as lamp shades or reflectors which may or may not be capable of being partially nested. To this end the invention, as disclosed, is embodied in an outer container and a shell spaced therewith in, such shell being provided with means for supporting one or more fragile objects in a safe and secure manner.

Referring more particularly to the draw- 1928. Serial No. 283,895.

ings, there is shown in Fig. 1 an outer container 5 of more or less usual form which may be constructed from any suitable material, but which, in the present instance, is illustrated as formed of corrugated paper. The container 5 isprovided with theusual closure flaps 6, 6. Within the container 5 is provided a shell 8 preferably formed oflight fibrous material such as corrugated paper or solid fibre board. The shell 8 is preferably constructed from a flat rectangular blank suitably provided with score lines 9, 9 along which it may be bent to provide a polygonal shell. In the present instance, the shell is creased or scored so as to form an octagonal figure, the number of sides which the shell has, however, is, in general, imma terial. f a

The shell 8 is provided at each end with a closure member or plate, one of which is designated atlO, see Figs. 1, 2 and 3. If it is desired to pack shades of the shape illustratedin Fig. 3 in nested relation within the shell 8, there will also be provided a plurality of partition members 11, 11. Where it is desired that the case contain but a single article, such as a large spherical globe, these partition members will not be used.

The end plates or closures 10 are preferably so associated with the inner shell as to serve as reinforcing and stiffening means for said shell, and also toprovide spacing means for maintaining said shell spaced within the outer container andat the same time serving to firmly secure said closure in place at the end of the shell. This may be donein various ways but in the present instance the sides of the shell 8 are preferably provided with slots 12 through which tongues or extensions 13, 18 on the plate 10 may be inserted. The blank comprising the closure plate 10 is preferably of such a size that, when the parts are assembled andthe tongues 13 project through the slots inthe inner shell, the ends of the tongues will abut the inner surface of the outer container to thusfirmly hold the shell spaced therewithin. Thus the closure plate 10 with its tongues 13 serves the double purpose of closing the end of the shell and maintaining the shell spaced-within the outer container.

In order to increase the rigidity of the assembled inner shell and closure plate 10, the, latter is preferably provided with a plurality 'of fla'ps'i or tongues 14,- 14, spaced a1- ternately between the tongues 13, 13 and.

provided with score lines 15 by means of w ichtheyam y' b re d e a right. angles "toi'the f'plate: sofas i to'lie against ior' abut the inner face of the inner shell when the parts are assembled. While the tongues 14 may extend in either direction, they are preferably arranged so. as to; extend toward the adjacent outer ends of the shell, and are of"su'chlength as to substantially register with the endfof the shell. The flaps or tongues l lare' preferably of a width *c'orrespondingjto'the distance between the score lines 9,901: the innershell, see Fig. 1. These fi'aps'or tongues, however,'1nay be made of less w'idth' if desired;

' -One of the meeting edges of the blanks, formingthinner shell, is provided with a shert e'xtension 16 which overlaps the adj oining side of the shell. These overlapping inserted so that theshad'es may be nested,- as'clearly shown in Fig. fl For,-the purpose of permitting close en- 7 gagement of the edges of" the apertures 18 such tongues or flaps are preferably dis pensed with. I v I v In order that amaximum number of shades may be packed within thec'ase, the partitions 1 1; as well as one ofthe closure plates 10', are

providedwi'th a central aperture 18 through i which the smaller part of the shade be partially with the small parts of the shades,there is preferably provided at each aperture 18 a plurality of short radial slits forminga phi-.1

of inwardly extended tongues 18*.

resto ers r apa e o in e wh the'flanged end of the shade is being inserted the aperture 18 and will return suban ually ed the plane or the closer-e or pertitio'fi when the flanged part has'been inserted s hufith inner edges of the tongues contact at or hear the juncture of the restricted endof the shade withthe bowl-shaped body portion. 1

from lateral shifting' movernent astwell as from end-wise or axial movement in one direction. The larger end ofthe shade rests on: or contacts witli"-an' adjacent partition 11 and its outer surface isengaged laterally ata number of points by the sides of the inner shellBT It will be seen by reference to Fig.

3, that the upperportionof the uppermost shade is spaced a sufiicient distance from contact with the; closure-flaps 6,.6 to avoid breakage ofthe shade by reason of any; in Ward flexing of 'the closures due' to heavy. ob j ects piled thereon in shipment.

In' the'modifi'ed form of the invention; dis closed in Fig. 4; there'isprovided an outer container 20, siinilarto container 5-, andan inner shel1'21, shown in-thisembodiment a's formed with four-sides instead of eight as in the case of' the inner shell An'end-plate or closure 22, alsoof generally rectangular form,-is asseinbl'ed'f with the" shell: 21 by means of tongues 23'i'ntegral with the plate 22 which project throughsuitableslots in the sides of the shell 21, such slots and tongues being disposed centrallyof the sides of the shell and considerably narrower than such sides, 1

In this embodiment of; the Y invention, the end plate or closure 22 is provided with tongues or flaps 24, 2% 1' which are disposed adjacent and on each side of the corner thereof so that-Whenbentat right angles to plate 22 they fit against or abut; the inner face of shell 21- on each side" of its corners.

These tongues or flaps, similar; to tongues or flaps 14', are preferably disp'osed,- when the parts are assembled-,rto extend outwardly toward the ends of the shell and? are preferably of such alength when assembled as to coineid'e or register with the end of's'aidshell. Thereis. thus obtained a maximum of strength and rigidity at points where the container is most likely to be deformed or crushed by heavy objects, being placed thereon. This formof the container may also, if desired,- be provided with partition members in a manner similar to that shown in the first embodiment, these partition members,- of course,-be-

ing of rectangular form similar to the end plates 22. In a similar manner asdescribed in the first embodiment ofthe invention, the

partitions and one end plate may be provided with apertures for'the reception of the small ends ofthe shades being packed therein. 1,

The assemblage and use of this form' of the invention is practically identical to thatof the first form so that further detailed ex-.

7 planation of such is unnecessary.

The present. invention thus providesv an extremely simple packing case for fragile artongues on said closure adapted to be bent ticles comprising few parts but which are asat right angles thereto to abut the interior sociated in such a manner as to obtain a of said shell whereby the rigidity of said maximum of strength and rigidity for a shell is increased.

minimum amount of material employed. By means of the case disclosed herein articles such as lamp shades or reflectors may be rapidly and safely packed for shipment without necessitating the use of excelsior or other packing material.

The resiliency of the inner shell alone is sufficient to prevent any but the most severe shocks being transmitted to the articles therewithin.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a packing case, the combination with an outer container and an inner shell, of a member forming a closure for said shell, slots in said shell, and tongues on said closure projecting through said slots and engaging the outer container to hold said shell spaced therewithin.

2. In a packing case, the combination with an outer container and an inner shell, of a member forming a closure for said shell, means for securing said closure to said shell and for spacing said shell within said container, said means comprising tongues on said closure abutting the inner walls of said outer container, and additional tongues intermediate said first named tongues and adapted to be bent over to abut the interior of said shell.

3. In a packing case, the combination with an outer container and an inner shell, of a member forming a closure for said shell, slots in said shell, tongues on said closure projecting through said slots and engaging the outer container to hold said shell spaced therewithin, and additional tongues on said closure lying intermediate the first named tongues and adapted to be bent at an angle to the plane of said closure to lie against the inner face of said shell.

4. In a packing case, a tubular shell, 21. member forming a closure for said shell, slots in said shell, tongues on said closure projecting through said slots, and additional tongues intermediate said first named tongues adapted to be bent at right angles to said closure to abut the interior of said shell.

5. In a packing case, a tubular shell, a member forming a closure for said shell, slots in said shell, tongues on said closure projecting through said slots, and additional tongues intermediate said first named tongues and adapted to be bent outwardly of said shell to abut the inner wall thereof, said last mentioned tongues being of such a length as to substantially coincide with the end of said shell.

6. In a packing case, a tubular shell, a member forming a closure for said shell, means for securing said closure in place within and spaced from the end of said shell, and

EDWARD E. MASTON. 

